Last August I stepped away from the Daily Leader due to health issues. I have returned with a new outlook on life and a passion to continue to do the best I can for this newspaper.

As most of you know, I have had kidney problems since 2008. Well, that all changed when I got “The Call” on April 21. The transplant team at OSF St. Francis in Peoria found a suitable kidney to be transplanted in me.

The transplant team, led by surgeon Dr. Timothy O’Connor, got me into surgery at 1:20 p.m. Four hours later, I was in the recovery area and an hour after that I was in my own room recuperating.

I not writing this column to talk about myself, I’m writing it for you, the reader. I had been waiting for about four years for the transplant.

I am a rare blood type (AB negative), so it meant waiting for a match. My younger brother in St. Paul was going through the tests when a match was found.

Now here’s where you, the reader, comes in.

There is a real shortage of donors, not only in Illinois but also all over the country. If you are a donor of any kind, I thank you.

If you aren’t a donor yet, talk it over with your family. It’s real simple — all you have to do is sign the back of your driver’s license and you’re done.

You can donate any or all of your organs.

St. Francis is the closest hospital between Chicago and St. Louis for kidney and heart transplants.

It really is one of the most heroic things you can do for your fellow man.

I’m doing my best to “pay it forward” by helping those less fortunate by donating food and clothing to the local pantries (most of my clothes no longer fit, because I lost 32 pounds). I’m trying to help out where I can.

I’m not back to 100 percent but darn near it.

In the future you will see a different Marc Edwards. I have a new lease on life, a second chance to continue to bring a little thought-provoking ramblings to this column — sometimes they will be funny, uplifting or sometimes my brush with sports figures I have met along the way.

I want to thank The Leader staff, especially Lois and Erich, for letting me be part of “this family” after my nearly one year hiatus. And yes, Erich said I will be back doing high school football this fall. I can’t wait for kick-off. I have a lot to be thankful for.